The he Rams signed former All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White for $8.5 million. Was this a good move? We will find out in time but here’s what we know. White has been an elite corner in his past, isn’t 30 years old yet but has suffered two of the most catastrophic injuries you can have as an athlete. White tore his ACL in 2021 and last year tore his achilles tendon. It’s safe to say that the risk is fairly evident in this signing.
Risk #1: Availability
The Rams are giving $8.5 million to a player that is coming off an achilles tear. First and foremost, he’s coming off a major injury as we speak. While the Rams team doctor Neal ElAttrache may have done the surgery himself and worked with White in his rehab, it doesn’t dismiss the fact there is definitely some immediate risk out of the gate.
The team will likely be cautious with White this off-season and training camp, however, this is not a dangerous sport in general. The idea of losing a player you paid $8.5 million to have play and start for your team is a scary one and the fact of the matter is it’s a real concern when you think back on all the players who have suffered achilles tears.
Risk #2: Production
Even if White stays healthy coming off his achilles tendon injury, who’s to say he goes back to the same player? At the price tag the Rams paid White for it’s clear they are paying him as if they know something and they feel confident not only will White stay healthy and return to action but he will be an upgrade over last year’s starter Ahkello Witherspoon. I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
White was an elite player back in 2019 and played at a high level in 2021. However, when he tore his ACL in 2021 he came back and wasn’t as effective. The second risk here isn’t about White staying healthy, it’s about paying all that money to a guy that is a shell of himself. I truly hope this isn’t the case but it’s fair to at least point to the concern here.
